Connected to Israel

In our Fall Shofar, we share the stories of two members of our congregation who recently made trips to Israel. In this post we share the story of Abby Felsen who explains how the events of October 7 have impacted her life. 

My time in Israel this summer was truly unforgettable.

The lead up to my summer Israel experience was touch and go because of the security situation, and we were never quite certain if the trip would run.

Thankfully, I was able to spend almost a month touring, hiking, and learning about the country on Biluim Israel. The itinerary was fluid and had to be adjusted along the way in response to the constantly changing circumstances, but we were fortunate to be able to spend time in Tiberias, Jerusalem, Eilat, and in the Negev.

What inspired me most about my time in Israel was the spirit of the Israeli people, and their sheer determination to live their lives, despite everything they are going through.

At our hotel in Tiberias, we stayed alongside many displaced families, and spent time with other teenagers, whose lives were upended.

It’s no question that October 7th has changed the country, but in Jerusalem, Ben Yehuda street was packed, in Tel Aviv, there were parties on the beach, and overall, life continued.

Unfortunately, our trip was cut a few days short when the threat level became too high, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to have spent the time in Israel during this point in history, and I can’t wait to return.